Apparatus and method of printing designs on hosiery



Oct. 29, 1935. E MUELLER ET AL APPARATUS AND METHOD OF PRINTING DESIGNS ON HOSIERY Filed Jan. 2, 1955 fin/en tors 5 m 70% 8:

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Patented Oct. 29, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS AND METHOD OF PRINTING DESIGNS ON HOSIERY Application January 2, 1935, Serial No. 18 In Canada May 29, 1934 3 Claims.

The invention relates to improvements in apparatus and method of printing designs on hosiery as described in the present specification and shown in the accompanying drawing that forms part of the same.

The invention has for its object the imprinting of decorative designs on ladies hosiery by means of apparatus embodying a stencil of a circular shape.

By the use of this invention designs can be rapidly and easily applied to the leg portion of a ladies hose to enhance its appearance. The imprinting is applicable in one or a multiplicity of colours and the designs may be geometrical or otherwise.

In performing the invention a cylindrical form is employed on which to mount the hose. A split circular stencil is applied about the form and the hose portion thereon, which stencil is snugly clamped in place by a pair of spaced bands having ends equipped with latch means by which the bands are secured. The paint is sprayed on by means of a conventional gun under a pressure of about forty five pounds. The form is faced with a sheeting of blotting paper or other absorbent material in order to prevent the colouring dye from running.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 depicts a stencil clamped about a hose on a form.

Figure 2 is a view exemplifying a hose to which a design has been applied.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view through the form.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the stencil.

In carrying out this invention, it is preferred to employ a form as denoted at 5 of a cylindrical shape in cross section, although it is conceivable that an oval configuration might be used equally as well. The form is fixed to a suitable base 6 and may be of aluminium or other material. The top I is recessed or dished in order that when a portion of the leg 8 of the hose is stretched over the form the remaining portion may be conveniently held in the recess 9 as shown at 9 in Figure 1.

The form is faced with a sheeting of blotting paper Ill around its girth in order to absorb surplus paint, which absorbent facing may be applied in suitable manner and arranged to be renewed from time to time. While blotting paper is found to be a very convenient facing material for the form, it is understood that other absorbent sheeting or the like may be employed in lieu thereof.

The hose to be treated is drawn down the form by means of its open top so that the portion to which the design is to be applied is about the girth. A stencil II is then clamped about the form and hose thereon. The stencil comprises a thin metal member of circular shape having a perforated design such as typified at l2. The width of the stencil is considerably wider than that of the design so that the portion of the hose in the vicinity of the design will be protected 10 I sprayed on to produce the desired ornamentation which is continuous around the hose. A sunfast and permanent quick drying dye is used that will not fade. In producing a design in two or more colours registering stencils are used.

What we claim is:

1. The method herein described of printing designs on hosiery which consists in mounting a hose on a substantially circular form in contiguous contact with an absorbent facing, fitting a stencil about the girth of the form and the portion of the hose thereon, and spraying the colouring medium through the perforations of the stencil.

2. In an apparatus of the class described, an upright substantially circular form over which at least a portion of a hose is stretched for stenci1 ling thereon, said form being of a non-absorbent material, and a facing of absorbent material applied over it.

3. In an apparatus of the class described, a stencil for fitting about a substantially circular form, said stencil consisting of a split circular member of sheet metal, spaced split bands of resilient metal attached thereto diametrically opposite their ends, the band ends when relaxed being spread away from the split circular member, and 'means for detachably connecting the ends of the resilient metal bands to each other when drawn together against their spring tension.

EUGENE MUELLER. PAUL FELBER. 

